MARVIN ALEXANDER by Susanna Salk for 1stdibs
One evening back in 1988, David Reitner was walking across 57th Street with his great uncle, Marvin Alexander. They soon found themselves in front of the Nesle lighting showroom window where there was a beautiful crystal chandelier on display with a few spot lights beaming on the faceted crystals. David marveled at the beauty of it: “When Marvin told me it was an English chandelier, crafted in the 1840’s, I couldn’t understand how he could know that. He explained that he knew in the same way a chef can tell the ingredients of a prepared dish of food. And even though I didn’t fully understand at the time, for the next five years, I had this enormous desire to learn more about antiques but especially lighting.”

Marvin Alexander had already begun what would become a family tradition by first working for Nesle almost 60 years ago. Trained by his mentor Albert Nesle, he eventually became a senior sales person there until 1958, when he went on to establish his own lighting business, Marvin Alexander Inc.  Alexander went to Europe on his first buying trip with five thousand dollars in hand and precious contacts in his pocket, (courtesy of Nesle). “My uncle always had an eye for style and quality,” says David. For the next 35 years, the shop became a destination for those in search of remarkable chandeliers, sconces, candelabras, lamps, and candlesticks.

1993 brought the next generation into the fold with the arrival into the business of Marvin’s great nephew, David. “ My official entrée came during a foundering period in my life,” explains David. “I had been in a family-owned food business for most of my life but I found it monotonous.” Five years after David had first gazed into the Nesle window, he realized where his true calling lay: lighting.

And so David began working in the Marvin Alexander showroom by working three days a week, writing description tags and measurements for the inventory. He was soon asking his great uncle for full time work where Marvin complied by creating a position for him. “I started studying the data and information on the inventory invoices as if they were flash cards,” says David. Before long, he was able to distinguish between a Louis IV and a Charles X chandelier. But his educational journey was only beginning: Marvin encouraged David to enroll in the New York School of Interior Design to expand his knowledge of historical periods and styles and even found him a stint at the Metropolitan Museum working behind the scenes to see how some of the antiques were constructed. “I became privy to many aspects of the museum's collections,” says David. Soon David and Marvin embarked on European buying trips together: “It was an amazing experience to walk through the markets in Paris with Marvin. On early Friday afternoons, the dealers would close their stalls but when they saw Marvin coming down the alley, the gates would suddenly fly open and we would be welcomed in,” remembers David.

During the late 1990s, American homes were getting larger and multiples of chandeliers and sconces were becoming an increasing demand. In 1999, David asked Marvin if he would look at an empty space on floor below their showroom in the Decorators Building at 315 East 62nd Street. ”The new space I wanted him to consider was 8000 square feet,” says David. “I promised him I would work harder if we took it and that it would never look empty.” The extra space allowed them to increase their in-demand L’Etoile Collection, which was founded in 1988 and is known for its vast array of stunning reproductive sconces, chandeliers, flushmonts, and lamps. “I enjoy creating a chandelier or sconce that will be a one-of-a kind,“ says David.

So while Marvin has since retired eight years ago – but still makes regular visits to the showroom to say hello -- he knows that his initial vision to illuminate his client’s homes and their lives is being fulfilled in David’s very best hands.  Alexander’s great nephew has become as passionate about the business as he ever with Marvin Alexander Inc. poised to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Says David about the future: “As long as this doesn’t feel like work I hope to do it forever!”